Device for controlling the discharge of gaseous fluids or material



Aug. 31, 1937. A. B RIDGHAM 2,091,939

DEVICE FOR CONTROLLINQ THE DISCHARGE F GASEOUS FLUIDS 0R MATERIAL Filed March 16, 1935 .Fggi

/N VENTOR.

ATTORNE Patented Aug. 31, 1937 PATENT OFFICE DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE ms- CHARGE OF GASEOUS' FLUIDS R MATE- RIAL Arthur L. Bridgham, Boston, Mass; Edna R.

Bridgham administratrix of Arthur L. Bridgham, deceased Application March 16, 1935, Serial No.v 11,463

7 Claims.

The invention relates to an improvement in devices for controlling the discharge of gaseous fluids, or material, and especially gaseous fluids under high pressure.

The device pertains to the discharge and control of gaseous fluid under high pressure especially when the fluids are directed from a tank, or reservoir, into a pipe line, or main, within which the fluid is maintained and dispensed at a pressure much less than the pressure in the tank.

The essential object of the invention is to provide a device which will operate as a control and reducing valve with accuracy and safety; and also a device which will operate as an ejector under certain conditions of adaptability for useful ends, examples of which will later be referred to.

The invention can best be seen and understood by reference to the drawing in which- Fig. 1 is a cross section of the device.

Fig. 2 is a cross section of a detail of construction; and

Fig. 3 shows diagrammatically in side elevation a certain adaptability of the device to which special reference will hereinafter be made.

Referring to the drawing: I represents the valve casing. 2 is the high pressure inlet by way of which gaseous fluid under high compression is admitted to a high pressure chamber 3 within the casing. 4 is a low pressure inlet by way of which atmospheric air or other gaseous fluid, or material, at low pressure is admitted to the chamber of the casing. 5 is a vacuum chamber within the casing which connects with the low pressure inlet 4 by way of a port 6.

The high pressure chamber 3 is separated from the vacuum chamber 5 by a partition I. This partition has a nozzle passage 8 through it, and a valve seat 9 at the entrance end thereof from the high pressure chamber. The nozzle passage 8 is controlled by a valve I0 having a stem II extending through the nozzle passage. The valve ID lies when open within a socket I2 formed within a plug l3 threaded to fit within an opening at the top end of the casing opening into the high pressure chamber.

Beyond the nozzle passage 8 in the partition in alignment therewith is an outlet passage I4 from out of the vacuum chamber; This outlet passage I4 preferably has the general form of a venturi and is formed by an annular fitting within the casing and fixed to the casing in any suitable manner.

The outlet passage I4 empties into the main outlet I5 from the casing and this outlet connects with any suitable main, or extension (not shown).

With the parts thus arranged a jet of gaseous fluid from the high pressure chamber passing through the nozzle passage will pass through the vacuum chamber 5 into the outlet passage I4 with an ejector action and form a partial vacuum in the vacuum chamber. The formation of this vacuum will tend to draw air or other gaseous fluid, or material, at low pressure from the low pressure inlet 4 by way of the port 6.

The valve I0 is normally closed by the pressure entering by way of the high pressure inlet into the high pressure chamber for the reason that the pressure from the high pressure chamber will pass around the valve and bear both against the top and bottom thereof. The bottom of the valve will present a larger surface against which the pressure will have bearing than its top surface and consequently the valve will be held normally closed.

The valve I0 is held open and otherwise controlled by means of a piston I1 arranged to slide within a cylinder I 9 forming an extension to the bottom end of the casing. The piston has closed connection with the interior wall of the cylinder by means of a piston ring 20. The piston occupies a position in axial alignment with the valve and is movable with the valve to which end the piston is provided with a stem 2I into which the stem II of the valve is socketed to fit. The inner surface 22 of the piston is open to the outlet passage I5 and is subject to the pressure Within this passage. The outer face 23 of the piston is open to a low pressure chamber 24 which connects with the low pressure inlet 4 by way of a port 25.

Socketed within the piston is one end of a, coil spring 26. This spring extends through the low pressure chamber 24 and the opposite end of the spring is socketed within the bore of a nut 21 threaded to fit within the lower end portion of the cylinder I9 and provided with a flange 28 which seats against the end of the cylinder when the nut has been turned in by application of force to its head. The end of the spring socketed within the nut as aforesaid has bearing engagement with the end of adjustable screw 30 threaded to fit within the nut with extension outside the nut by which the screw may be turn-ed through application of force tothe head of the screw. By turning the screw 30 up or down within the nut, adjustment may be obtained in the tension of the spring 26. The head of the screw is covered by means of a cap 3I threaded to fit on the end of the screw and bearing when seated against the end of the plug 21.

The nozzle passage 8 through the partition 7 preferably has the general form of the frustum of a cone and the stem H of the valve passing through the nozzle passage is also made generally cone-shaped, substantially as shown in Fig. 2, in order that as the valve moves to a closed position the nozzle passage around the stem will be 10 gradually lessened up to the time of the final closure of the valve against the seat 9.

The port 6 leading from the low pressure inlet 4 to the vacuum chamber 5 is controlled by a valve 33. This valve is provided with a shank 34 5 which has sliding fit within a plug 35threaded.

to fit within an opening in the casing to the vacuum chamber 5. Thus arranged the valve will be drawn to an open position when the formation of the partial vacuum in the vacuum chamber 5 tends to draw gaseous fluid, or material, from the low pressure inlet 4. Reversely, the valve will be moved to a closed position if, instead of vacuum, pressure is developed within the chamber 5. I

25 The general operation of the device is as follows:

Gaseous fluid under high pressure, admitted by way of the inlet 2, will pass into the high pressure chamber 3 and, if the valve I is open, will 39 pass through the nozzle passage 8 around the stem of the valve, thence through the vacuum chamber into the outlet passage M and outlet l5 from the casing, and pressure will be developed therein. As the pressure passes from the nozzle 35 across the vacuum chamber 5 into the nozzle passage [4, it will operate with an ejector action and form a partial vacuum in the vacuum chamber. The formation of this vacuum will tend to draw air or other gaseous fluid, or material, at low -40 pressure from the low pressure inlet 4 by way of the port 6, the valve 33 then being opened by the developed suction. The valve ID is held normally closed by the pressure in the high pressure chamber 3 and the opening of the valve ID will depend upon the tension exerted by the spring 26 on the piston I! to move the valve into an open position. Opposing the tension of the spring the piston is subjected to the pressure on the valve I El tending to close it and also to the pressure in 50 the outlet I5 acting upon the face 22 of the piston. Consequently to open the valve I 0 the tension of the spring must be such as to exceed the pressure tending to close the valve and the pressure in the outlet I5. Proper tension of the spring 3:; for attaining this end is obtained through adjustment of the screw 30. As the pressure in the outlet l5 increases, as it will increase, owing to the relatively high pressure of the entering air, the piston will be displaced, contracting the (3'0 spring, whereupon the pressure in the high pressure chamber will close the valve. When the gaseous pressure is relieved in the outlet passage and main then the piston will return to its initial position and will open the valve, the operation 5" continuing as before.

As the valve ill moves towards a closed position the gaseous pressure discharged through the nozzle passage will be gradually cut down or limited until the valve finally seats uponthe iii-valve seat 9, after which the flow of gaseous fluid will be entirely out ofi from the high pressure chamber. vAt such time there is a certain amount of pressure within the outlet l5 and main con- ..necting therewith. This pressure flowing back 7'5will develop a like pressure within the vacuum chamber causing closure of the valve 33 if not otherwise closed by gravity, so preventing any flow back into the low pressure inlet.

The device may be used for many purposes and examples will be given of one or two of these purposes.

One especial adaptability of the device is where compressed air is maintained in a main or pipe at a determinate pressure to be drawn therefrom as occasion requires. In the present device such main or pipe is connected with the outlet from the casing, and both high pressure air and atmospheric air are depended upon to maintain a determinate air pressure within the main or pipe, high'pressure air being admitted from any suitable source through the high pressure inlet, and atmospheric air through the low pressure inlet. The operation is as before described and it is found that by using the device a determinate air pressure may be maintained within the main or pipe with about one-half of the high pressure air ordinarily employed for such purpose where high pressure air alone is relied upon.

Another adaptability of the device is shown in Fig. 3 where it is used to exhaust gases from high pressure tanks in which the gases are contained. The gases in these tanks are directed through suitable connections into a pipe or main at which the gas is maintained at a determinate pressure and the gas in any tank connected with the main cannot be exhausted therefrom to a pressure below that in the main. By using the present device the gaseous pressure in one tank,

where the pressure is high, may be used to entirely exhaust the gas from another tank in which the gas has been reduced to approximately the pressure in the main or pipe with which the gaseous pressure in these tanks into a main or pipe 38 having in it a Valve or device (not shown) for maintaining a determinate pressure therein. It will be observed that the connection 39 leading from the tank 36, which is the tank first to be exhausted, connects with the low pressure inlet 4 of the device and the connection it 1eading from the other tank 37 connects with. the high pressure inlet 2 of the device. A valve l! is located in the pipe connection which valve is closed during the initial exhausting of gas from the tank 36. The gas exhausting from the tank 36 will pass through the connection 38 and through the device escaping from the outlet therein into the pipe or main 38. The escape of gas will continue until the pressure of gas in the tank 3'6 is substantially equal to that in the main or pipe 38. Thereupon the valve 4! will be opened and gas at high pressure will be admitted to the main and this gas will operate as an ejector to exhaust from the tank 36 any remaining therein. Any remaining tanks may be connected up in substantially the same way so that instead of leaving gas in the tanks as is customarily done, all the tanks may be completely exhausted excepting the gas in the last tank exhausted, and gas in. this tank may be exhausted when other freshly charged pressure tanks are obtained.

I claim:

1. A valvular device of the type specified comprising a casing having an inlet for admission of 'a gaseous fluid at a relatively high pressure, a

vacuum chamber with inlet thereto for admission of'a gaseous fluid or material at a relatively low pressure, an outlet from the casing with passage connecting with said vacuum chamber, a nozzle passage in communication with said high pressure inlet, said nozzle passage and passage out of the vacuum chamber communicating with the outlet from the casing as aforesaid and cooperating with one another to form an ejector whereby a jet of gaseous fluid from said high pressure inlet passing through said nozzle passage willpass through said vacuum chamber into said outlet passage with an ejector action and form a partial vacuum in said vacuum chamber, a valve for controlling the admission of gaseous fluid from said high pressure inlet to said nozzle, and means for controlling said valve whereby the valve will be open when the pressure in said outlet passage registers below a determinate amount, or will be closed by the pressure in said outlet passage when the pressure in said outlet passage registers above a determinate amount.

2. A valvular'device of the type specified comprising a casing having a high pressure chamber with inlet thereto for admission of a gaseous fluid at a relatively high pressure, a vacuum chamber with inlet thereto for admission of gaseous fluid or material at a relatively low pressure, a partition within said casing between said high pressure chamber and said vacuum chamber, said partition having a nozzle passage through it and a valve seat, an outlet from the casing with passage connecting with said vacuum chamber, said nozzle passage through the partition and said outlet passage being arranged in alignment with each other and otherwise co-operating whereby a jet of gaseous fluid from said high pressure chamber passing through said nozzle passage will pass through said vacuum chamber into said outlet passage with an ejector action and form a partial vacuum in said vacuum chamber, a valve adapted to close against said seat for controlling said nozzle passage, andmeans for controlling said valve whereby said valve will be open when the pressure in said outlet passage registers below a determinate amount, or said valve will be closed by the pressure in said outlet passage when the pressure in said outlet passage registers above a determinate amount.

3. A valvular device of the type specified comprising a casing having an inlet for admission of a gaseous fluid at a relatively high pressure, a vacuum chamber with inlet thereto for admission of a gaseous fluid or material at a relatively low pressure, an outlet from the casing with passage connecting with said vacuum chamber, a nozzle passage in communication with said high pressure inlet, said nozzle passage and passage out of the vacuum chamber communicating with. the outlet from the casing as aforesaid and cooperating with one another to form an injector whereby a jet of gaseous fluid from said high pressure inlet passing through said nozzle passage will pass through said vacuum chamber into said outlet passage with an ejector action and form a partial vacuum in said vacuum chamber, said valve being substantially balanced by the pressure from said high pressure inlet but occupying normally a closed position, and means for controlling said Valve whereby the valve will be open when the pressure in said outlet passage registers below a determinate amount or said valve will be closed by the pressure in said outlet passage when the pressure in said outlet passage registers above a determinate amount.

4. A valvular device of the type specified comprising a casing having an inlet for admission of a gaseous fluid at a relatively high pressure, a vacuum chamber with inlet thereto for admission of a gaseous fluid or material at a relatively low pressure, an outlet from the casing with passage connecting with said vacuum chamber, a nozzle passage in communication with said high pressure inlet, said nozzle passage and passage out of the vacuum chamber communicating with the outlet from the casing as aforesaid and co-operating with one another to form an ejector whereby a jet of gaseous fluid from said high pressure inlet passing through said-nozzle passage will pass through said vacuum chamber into said outlet passage with an ejector action and form a partial vacuum in said vacuum chamber, valvular means for controlling the admission of gaseous fluid from said high pressure inlet to said nozzle, a piston within said casing connecting with said valvular means for controlling the position thereof, said piston at one end being in communication with said low pressure inlet and at its opposite end with said outlet from the casing, and tensional means controlling the position of said piston.

5. A valvular device of the type specified comprising a casing having an inlet for admission of a gaseous fluid at a relatively high pressure, a vacuum chamber with inlet thereto for admission of a gaseous fluid or material at a relatively low pressure, an outlet from, the casing with passage connecting with said vacuum chamber, a nozzle passage in communication with said high pressure inlet, said nozzle passage and passage out of the vacuum chamber communicating with the outlet from the casing as aforesaid and co-operating with one another to form an ejector whereby a jet of gaseous fluid from said high pressure inlet passing through said nozzle passage will pass through said vacuum chamber into said outlet passage with an ejector action and form a partial vacuum in said vacuum chamber, valvular means normally closed by pressure fromv said high pressure inlet for controlling the passage of gaseous fluid through said nozzle passage, a piston within said casing connecting with said valvular means for controlling the position thereof, said piston at one end being in communication with said low pressure inlet and at its opposite end with said outlet from the casing, and tension means controlling said piston whereby said valve will be held open and its closure permitted when the pressure in said outlet registers a determinate amount.

6. A valvular device of the type specified comprising a casing having an inlet for admission of a gaseous fluid at a relatively high pressure, a vacuum chamber with inlet thereto for admission of a gaseous fluid or material at a relatively low pressure, an outlet from the casing with passage connecting with said vacuum chamber, a nozzle passage in communication with said high pressure inlet, said nozzle passage and passage out of the vacuum chamber communicating with the outlet from the casing as aforesaid and co-operating with one another to form an ejector whereby a jet of gaseous fluid from said high pressure inlet passing through said nozzle passage will pass through said vacuum chamber into said outlet passage with an ejector action and form a partial vacuum in said vacuum chamber, a valve normally closed by pressure from said high pressure inlet for controlling the passage of gaseous fluid through said nozzle passage, a piston within said casing, a stem connection extending through said nozzle passage between said piston and said valve whereby the position of the piston will control the position of the valve, said piston at one end being in communication with said low pressure inlet and at its opposite end with said outlet from the casing, and tension means controlling said piston whereby said valve will be held open and its closure permitted when the pressure in said outlet reaches a determinate amount.

'7. A valvular device of the type specified comprising a casing having a high pressure chamber with inlet thereto for admission of a gaseous fluid at a relatively high pressure, a vacuum chamber with inlet thereto for admission of gaseous fluid or material at a relatively low pressure, a partition within said casing between said high pressure chamber and said vacuum chamber, said partition having a nozzle passage through it and a valve seat, an outlet from the casing with passage connecting With said vacuum chamber, said nozzle passage through the partition and said outlet passage being arranged in alignment with each other and otherwise co-operating whereby a jet of gaseous fluid from. said high pressure chamber passing through said nozzle passage will pass through said vacuum chamber into said outlet passage with an ejector action and form a partial vacuum in said vacuum chamber, a valve normally closed by pressure from the high pressure chamber for controlling the passage of gaseous fluid through said nozzle passage, a piston within said casing, a stem connection extending through said nozzle passage between said piston and said valve whereby the position of the piston will control the position of the valve, said piston at one end being in communication with said low pressure inlet and at its opposite end with said outlet from the casing, and tension means for controlling said valve whereby the valve will be opened when pressure in said outlet passage registers below a determinate amount, or said valve will be closed by the pressure in the high pressure chamber when the pressure in said outlet passage registers above a determinate amount.

ARTHUR L. BRIDGHAM. 

